ECU vs. UNCG

Comparable Facts

Compare East Carolina University in Greenville, NC with University of North Carolina at Greensboro in Greensboro, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

East Carolina University is larger than UNCG based on total student enrollment (26,940 students vs. 18,012 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• East Carolina University is located in Greenville, NC (Small City setting); University of North Carolina at Greensboro is in Greensboro, NC (Large City setting).
• East Carolina University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of North Carolina at Greensboro is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: East Carolina University 17:1; University of North Carolina at Greensboro 18:1.

ECU vs. UNCG Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ECU or UNCG? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of North Carolina at Greensboro than ECU ($11,404 vs. $13,755).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of North Carolina at Greensboro are 7.4% lower than at East Carolina University ($10,688 vs. $11,541).
• University of North Carolina at Greensboro is 4.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than ECU (about $300 more per year; $7,661.00 vs. $7,361.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.6% higher at UNCG than at East Carolina University (about $374 more per year; $24,012.00 vs. $23,638.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of North Carolina at Greensboro than at East Carolina University (87% vs. 55%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of North Carolina at Greensboro students is 0.9% larger than aid received by East Carolina University students ($9,863 vs. $9,776).

ECU vs. UNCG Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, ECU or UNCG? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between UNCG and ECU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of North Carolina at Greensboro (1250) is 90 points higher than at ECU (1160).
• Incoming UNCG students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 23 at ECU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: East Carolina University 1070/1240; University of North Carolina at Greensboro 1150/1355.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: East Carolina University 21/26; University of North Carolina at Greensboro 22/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ECU - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional); UNCG - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional).
• Typical fall application deadline: UNCG Mar 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UNCG students have a 0.26 point higher average high school GPA (3.59) than students at ECU (3.33).
• ECU has a higher acceptance rate (89.2%) than UNCG (88.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.1% at ECU vs. 21.2% at UNCG.

ECU vs. UNCG Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ECU and UNCG? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• East Carolina University's six-year graduation rate (59%) is higher than University of North Carolina at Greensboro's (53%).
• Graduates from East Carolina University earn a median of about $4,800 more per year than UNCG graduates about ten years after starting college ($43,900 vs. $39,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of North Carolina at Greensboro graduates have a $2,051 lower median loan debt than ECU graduates ($22,737 vs. $24,788).
• Among borrowers, UNCG graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than ECU graduates ($235 vs. $256).
• More ECU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UNCG students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 56%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.